Auxiliary device for the installation of plate-shaped products for covering floors and/or walls

ABSTRACT

The auxiliary device ( 1 ) for the installation of plate-shaped products (M) for covering floors and/or walls includes:
         a first element ( 2 ) having:
           a substantially flat base body ( 3 ) for supporting two or more adjacent plate-shaped products (M) and   a gripping body ( 4 ) which is associated substantially at right angles with the base body ( 3 ), the base body ( 3 ) being suited to support the plate-shaped products (M) from opposite sides of the gripping body ( 4 );   
           a second element ( 6 ) associable with the gripping body ( 4 ) for fastening the plate-shaped products (M) between the base body ( 3 ) and the second element ( 6 ) to define the coplanarity of the plate-shaped products (M); and
           screw connection elements ( 7 ) suited to allow the coupling by screwing of the second element ( 6 ) on the first element ( 2 ) around a rotation axis (R) substantially at right angles to the base body ( 3 ).

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for theinstallation of plate-shaped products for covering floors and/or walls.

It is known that during laying and installation operations ofplate-shaped products on floors and/or walls, such as tiles, bricks,sheets or the like, it is usually necessary to position the plate-shapedproducts at a reciprocal relative distance.

For this purpose, spacing devices are usually used, made up ofcross-shaped, T-shaped or other-shaped plastic bars, which are suitablefor ensuring the correct reciprocal positioning of the tiles.

If on the one hand however, such spacing devices make it possible toposition the plate-shaped products very precisely with respect to theirreciprocal arrangement on the surface to be covered, on the other, itcannot but be noted that they do not also ensure the perfect coplanarityof the top surfaces (i.e., the visible surfaces) of the installedplate-shaped products.

It must be remembered in fact that the surface to be covered is notalways perfectly level, the thickness of the plate-shaped productscannot be constant from tile to tile and the layer of adhesive placed inbetween the surface to be covered and the plate-shaped products can showsome lack of uniformity.

For all these reasons, the plate-shaped products tend to take up aposition which is not perfectly level and the user is inconvenientlyforced to correct the height of each single plate-shaped product usingspecific equipment and great skill.

In this respect, it must be added that the need for perfect coplanarityof the surface is particularly felt when very regular and perfectlysmoothed plate-shaped products are used because in this case the absenceof positioning uniformity, even minor, appears immediately clear.

In this respect, from the document IT 1 334 260, the use is known of aspacing device which, besides spacing out the ceramic products, allowsensuring level installation.

Such device comprises a series of flat fins, suitable for creatingceramic product supporting areas, and an arc which stands perpendicularto the flat fins and which is shaped so as to allow the stable andforced insertion and positioning of a tapered-profile element betweenthe arc itself and the underlying tiles.

During installation, the tiles are tightened between the underlying finsand the tapered-profile element which is forcibly blocked under the arc.

This spacing device also has drawbacks however including the fact thatthe insertion and the coupling of the tapered-profile element in thespace below the arc is not always practical and easy.

Furthermore, to ensure the necessary stability of the tapered-profileelement and prevent it from releasing itself during installation, thuscompromising the installation operation of the plate-shaped products,the tapered-profile element must be forcibly pushed underneath the arcand the user is not always able to apply such force without theinconvenient use of special pliers or other tools.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary devicefor the installation of plate-shaped products for covering floors and/orwalls with which it is possible, in a practical, easy and functionalway, to ensure the exact coplanarity of the plate-shaped products.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary device forthe installation of plate-shaped products for covering floors and/orwalls with which it is possible to simplify the laying and installationoperations of plate-shaped products.

Not the last object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliarydevice for the installation of plate-shaped products for covering floorsand/or walls which can be used without using special pliers or othertools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliarydevice for the installation of plate-shaped products for covering floorsand/or walls which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of thestate of the art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy andeffective to use as well as low cost solution.

The above objects are achieved by the present auxiliary device for theinstallation of plate-shaped products for covering floors and/or walls,comprising:

-   -   at least a first element having:        -   a substantially flat base body for supporting at least two            adjacent plate-shaped products and        -   a gripping body which is associated substantially at right            angles with said base body, said base body being suited to            support said plate-shaped products from opposite sides of            said gripping body;    -   at least a second element associable with said gripping body for        fastening said plate-shaped products between said base body and        said second element to define the coplanarity of said        plate-shaped products;        characterized by the fact that said first element and said        second element comprise screw connection means suited to allow        the coupling by screwing of said second element on said first        element around a rotation axis substantially at right angles to        said base body.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more evident from the description of some preferred, but notsole, embodiments of an auxiliary device for the installation ofplate-shaped products for covering floors and/or walls, illustratedpurely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show, in a succession of views from above, thescrewing of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the device of FIG. 1 during theinstallation of two plate-shaped products;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the device of FIG. 1 during the installationof two plate-shaped products;

FIG. 5 is another section view of the device of FIG. 1 during theinstallation of two plate-shaped products;

FIG. 6 is a section view similar to that of FIG. 5 during theinstallation of two plate-shaped products with different thickness;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 is an axonometric view of the device of FIG. 7 during theinstallation of two plate-shaped products.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in figures from 1 to6, globally indicated by 1 is an auxiliary device for the installationof plate-shaped products for covering floors and/or walls.

The device 1 comprises a first element 2 substantially made in a singlebody and comprising:

-   -   a substantially flat base body 3 on which at least two adjacent        plate-shaped products M can be rested and    -   a gripping body 4, which is associated at right angles with the        base body 3.

The gripping body 4 has a substantially plate shape and rests on a lyingplane substantially at right angles to the base body 3.

The upper part of the gripping body 4 extends upwards to define a grip 5suitable for allowing it to be gripped by the user.

The base body 3 is suitable for supporting the plate-shaped products Mfrom opposite sides of the gripping body 4, with the edges of theplate-shaped products M substantially parallel the one with the otherand with the gripping body 4 and slightly at a distance the one from theother, at least by the thickness of the gripping body 4.

In this respect, it is underlined that the present device 1 can also actas a spacing element if the distance to be created between the twoadjacent plate-shaped products M corresponds to the thickness of thegripping body 4; it cannot however be ruled out that the device 1 beused in combination with traditional spacing bars, which establish thecorrect distance between one plate-shaped product M and the other, whilethe device 1 remains dedicated to ensuring their exact coplanarity.

For this purpose, the device 1 comprises a second element 6 associablewith the gripping body 4 for the fastening, i.e., the compression, ofthe plate-shaped products M between the base body 3 and the secondelement 6 to define the coplanarity of the plate-shaped products M.

More in detail, the first element 2 and the second element 6 comprisescrew connection means 7 suitable for permitting the coupling byscrewing of the second element 6 on the first element 2 around arotation axis R substantially at right angles to the base body 3.

In the particular and preferred embodiment shown in the figures from 1to 6, the second element 6 consists of a ring-nut body 8, i.e., acircular-section cylinder-shaped ring.

The screw connection means 7 comprise at least one substantially helicalramp 9 associated with the ring-nut body 8 and at least one fasteningbody 10 associated with the gripping body 4 and suitable for engagingthe ramp during the screwing of the second element 6 onto the firstelement 2.

More in particular, the ramp 9 is arranged inside the ring-nut body 8,which can be fitted around the gripping body 4.

The fastening body 10 comprises a first inclined edge 11, which isturned substantially facing the base body 3, has substantially the sameinclination as the ramp 9 and is suitable for wedging on this fortightening the ring-nut body 8.

Furthermore, the fastening body 10 comprises a second inclined edge 12which, with respect to the lying plane of the gripping body 4, issubstantially symmetric with the first inclined edge 11.

The first element 2 is therefore substantially symmetric and specularwith respect to the above lying plane, which makes considerably easierits use and manufacture which, e.g., can be done by simple injectionmoulding of plastic material wherein the opening and closing plane ofthe moulds coincides with the plane of symmetry.

Usefully, in the particular embodiment shown in the figures from 1 to 6,the screw connection means 7 comprise two ramps 9, arranged ondiametrically opposite sides of the ring-nut body 8, and two fasteningbodies 10, arranged on substantially opposite sides of the gripping body4.

Each ramp 9 extends by an extension angle below 180° and the projectionsof ramps 9 on a surface at right angles to the rotation axis R aresubstantially at a distance from one another, to define twocorresponding fitting seats 13 through which the fastening bodies 10 canbe passed during assembly.

Each ramp 9 has a side notch 14, i.e., turned towards the inside of thering-nut body 8, which is engageable by a corresponding locking blade 15associated with the gripping body 4.

The locking blades 15 lie on the lying plane of the gripping body 4 andextend at right angles to the rotation axis R and skip engage the sidenotches 14 of the ramps 9 during the screwing up of the ring-nut body 8.

The locking blades 15, on the one side, hinder the unscrewing of thering-nut body 8 once the tightening position of the plate-shapedproducts M has been reached and, on the other side, aid the user inassessing the effectiveness of the screwing up, inasmuch as they emit acharacteristic sound at every skip made on the side notches 14.

The ring-nut body 8 comprises a padded annular surface 16 which issuitable for coming into contact with the plate-shaped products M andthe purpose of which is to increase the contact surface for tighteningthe plate-shaped products M.

The ring-nut body 8 also comprises at least an external ribbing 17 whichextends on the side surface of the ring-nut body 8 and is suitable formaking it easier to grip by the user.

More in detail, in the particular embodiment shown in the figures from 1to 6, the ring-nut body 8 comprises a plurality of external ribbings 17.

At least one of the external ribbings, indicated by the reference number17 a to distinguish it from the others, is placed in correspondence toone of the fitting seats 13 and has a different thickness with respectto the others.

More in particular, there are two external ribbings 17 a of differentthickness and these are located in correspondence to both the fittingseats 13.

Usefully, the particular shape of the external ribbings 17, 17 a allowsthe user to identify, both by touch and visually, the relative positionof the fitting seats 13 and to make their coupling with the fasteningbodies 10 easier.

Once the installation of the plate-shaped products M has been completed,i.e., when these are stably glued to the surface to be covered, the basebody 3 remains trapped between the plate-shaped products M and thesurface to be covered, while the gripping body 4, together with thering-nut body 8, has to be removed.

For this purpose, the first element 2 is made of a breakable materialsuitable for allowing the removal by fracture of the gripping body 4once the installation of the plate-shaped products M has been completed.

To make this operation easier, the first element 2 usefully comprises aweakened section 18 suitable for favouring the removal by fracture ofthe gripping body 4.

The weakened section 18 is defined in correspondence to the connectionpoint of the base body 3 with the gripping body 4.

The operation of the device 1 shown in the figures from 1 to 6 is thefollowing.

The first element 2 is positioned on the pre-glued surface to be coveredin correspondence to the edge of one of the plate-shaped products Malready positioned on the surface, being careful to place the base body3 underneath such edge.

At this point, the other plate-shaped product M is positioned on theremaining portion of the base body 3, in a configuration wherein thegripping body 4 stands up between the two plate-shaped products M beyondtheir visible surfaces.

The ring-nut body 8 is then fitted around the gripping body 4, aligningthe fastening bodies 10 with the fitting seats 13 (FIG. 2 a), and thenrotated around the rotation axis R (FIG. 2 b) until it engages the firstinclined edges 11 of the fastening bodies 10 against the ramps 9, in atightening configuration wherein the plate-shaped products M remaincompressed between the base body 3 and the padded annular surface 16 ofthe ring-nut body 8.

Depending on the thickness of the plate-shaped products M, the screwingup of the ring-nut body 8 is more or less deep (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Once the installation has stabilised, the gripping body 4 and thering-nut body 8 are removed by means of a traction action of enoughintensity to cause the breakage of the weakened section 18.

The ring-nut body 8 can be subsequently re-used.

In the alternative embodiment shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 1still consists of a first element 2, split into a base body 3 and into agripping body 4, and of a second element 6 which can be coupled with thefirst element 2 by means of screw connection means 7 for the purpose oftightening the two or more plate-shaped products M between the base body3 and the second element 6 to ensure the coplanarity thereof.

In this embodiment, the gripping body 4 is shaped to define anarc-shaped body. The second element 6, on the other hand, comprises acontrast plate 19, suitable for entering into contact with theplate-shaped products M, and a support stem 20, which supports thecontrast plate 19.

The screw connection means 7 are defined by an external threading 21,which is obtained on the side surface of the support stem 20, and aninternal threading 22, which is obtained in a corresponding hollow disc23 associated with the arc-shaped body 4 and which is suitable for beingengaged by the external threading 21 during the screwing up of thesecond element 6 on the first element 2.

For this purpose, the hollow disc 23 comprises at least one side opening24 which permits the interlocking of the support stem 20.

This way, the first element 2 can be positioned separately to the secondelement 6, which can be coupled with the hollow disc 23 subsequently byinserting the support stem 20 through the side opening 24.

Once the first element 2 and the second element 6 have been coupledtogether, the contrast plate 19 finds itself housed inside thearc-shaped body 4 and can be pushed against the visible surfaces of theplate-shaped products M by simply screwing up the second element 6.

To make this operation easier, the second element 6 has a manoeuvringbody 25, shaped like a disc, a lever, a key or the like, which isassociated with the extremity of the support stem 20 on the oppositeside of the contrast plate 19.

The operation of the device 1 shown in the figures from 7 to 8 issimilar to that of the previous embodiment.

The first element 2 is positioned on the pre-glued surface to be coveredin correspondence to the edge of a plate-shaped product M alreadypositioned on the surface, while the other plate-shaped product M ispositioned on the remaining portion of the base body 3.

The second element 6 is then coupled to the first element 2 by insertingthe support stem 20 through the side opening 24 and then screwed up bymaking it rotate around the rotation axis R.

In the tightened configuration, the plate-shaped products M remaincompressed between the base body 3 and the contrast plate 19 ensuringthe coplanarity thereof.

Once the installation has stabilised, the arc-shaped body 4 and thesecond element 6 are removed by means of a traction action of enoughintensity to cause the breakage of the gripping body 4 which, similarlyto the previous embodiment, is made of a breakable material.

The second element 6 can be subsequently re-used.

1. Auxiliary device (1) for the installation of plate-shaped products(M) for covering floors or walls, comprising: at least a first element(2) having: a substantially flat base body (3) for supporting at leasttwo adjacent plate-shaped products (M) and a gripping body (4) which isassociated substantially at right angles with said base body (3), saidbase body (3) being suited to support said plate-shaped products (M)from opposite sides of said gripping body (4); at least a second element(6) associable with said gripping body (4) for fastening saidplate-shaped products (M) between said base body (3) and said secondelement (6) to define the coplanarity of said plate-shaped products (M);wherein said first element (2) and said second element (6) comprisescrew connection means (7) suited to allow the coupling by screwing ofsaid second element (6) on said first element (2) around a rotation axis(R) substantially at right angles to said base body (3).
 2. Device (1)according to the claim 1, wherein said second element (6) comprises aring-nut body (8).
 3. Device (1) according to the claim 2, wherein saidscrew connection means (7) comprise at least a substantially helicalramp (9) associated with said ring-nut body (8) and a fastening body(10) associated with said gripping body (4) and suited to engage saidramp (9) during the screwing of said second element (6) on said firstelement (2).
 4. Device (1) according to the claim 3, wherein said ramp(9) is arranged inside said ring-nut body (8), which can be fittedaround said gripping body (4).
 5. Device (1) according to the claim 3,wherein said ramp (9) comprises a side notch (14) which can be engagedby a locking blade (15) associated with said gripping body (4). 6.Device (1) according to the claim 3, wherein said fastening body (10)comprises a first inclined edge (11) having substantially the sameinclination as said ramp (9).
 7. Device (1) according to the claim 6,wherein said fastening body (10) comprises a second inclined edge (12)that, with respect to the lying plane of said gripping body (4), issubstantially symmetrical to said first inclined edge (11).
 8. Device(1) according to the claim 6, wherein said screw connection means (7)comprise two of said ramps (9) arranged on diametrically opposite sidesof said ring-nut body (8) and two of said fastening bodies (10) arrangedon substantially opposite sides of said gripping body (4).
 9. Device (1)according to the claim 8, wherein the projections of said ramps (9) on aplane at right angles to said rotation axis (R) are substantially at adistance to define two corresponding fitting seats (13) for fitting saidfastening bodies (10).
 10. Device (1) according to the claim 2, whereinsaid ring-nut body (8) comprises a padded annular surface (16) suited tocome into contact with said plate-shaped products (M).
 11. Device (1)according to the claim 2, wherein that said ring-nut body (8) comprisesat least an external ribbing (17, 17 a) which extends laterally and issuited to make the gripping easier by a user.
 12. Device (1) accordingto the claim 9, wherein said ring-nut body (8) comprises a plurality ofexternal ribbings (17, 17 a) which extend laterally and are suited tomake the gripping easier by a user and wherein at least one (17 a) ofsaid external ribbings is placed in correspondence to one of saidfitting seats (13) and has a different thickness than the other externalribbings.
 13. Device (1) according to the claim 1, wherein said grippingbody (4) comprises at least a grip (5) suited to allow the gripping by auser.
 14. Device (1) according to the claim 1, wherein said firstelement (2) is made of a breakable material suited to allow the removalby breaking of said gripping body (4) once the installation of saidplate-shaped products (M) has been completed.
 15. Device (1) accordingto the claim 14, wherein said first element (2) comprises at least aweakened section (18) suited to favour said removal by fracture of thegripping body (4).